FRA notes rail safety improvement

The Federal Railroad Administration's preliminary accident/incident report for the first 11 months of 2012 shows continued safety improvement in nearly every category.

Total accidents/incidents in January-November 2012 declined 7.3% to 9,741 compared with the prior-year period.

Train accidents dropped 16.5% to 1,545. The number of collisions declined 5.9% to 143, and derailments were down 14.7% to 1,136. Yard accidents dropped 3.5% to 883.

By far the highest number of fatalities was recorded in areas where railroads are not held responsible. While highway/rail grade crossing fatalities dropped 7.6% to 214, the number of trespassing fatalities increased 10.6% to 417.